Question

In the early 1990s, the state of Wyoming sued the state of Oklahoma for passing a law. Wyoming claimed the Oklahoma law reduced the amount of money Wyoming could collect in taxes. Wyoming claimed this violated a federal commerce law. This case was decided by

a state trial court in Oklahoma, represented by section F, because it has original jurisdiction in lawsuits regarding Oklahoma state laws

a federal appellate court in Wyoming, represented by section B, because it has original jurisdiction in lawsuits involving federal laws

the Wyoming Supreme Court, represented by section E, because it has original jurisdiction in cases involving Wyoming's interests

the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., represented by section D, because it has original jurisdiction in cases between state governments

Answer 1

Answer: the correct answer is the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., represented by section D, because it has original jurisdiction in cases between state governments.

Answer 2

Answer: The U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., represented by section D, because it has original jurisdiction in cases between state governments.

Explanation: The Constitution established the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction to provide a tribunal of the highest stature for disputes to which a state was a party and for cases involving the representatives of foreign nations. In practice, the Supreme Court has only rarely exercised its jurisdiction over foreign officials. Instead, the Supreme Court's original docket has been dedicated largely to resolving disputes between state governments. Article III, section 2, of the Constitution distributes the federal judicial power between the Supreme Court's appellate and original jurisdiction, providing that the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction in "all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls," and in cases to which a state is a party.